Paris 2024: Festival of fun brings France's first Paralympics to a close
Paris celebrates an unforgettable 10 days of competition with stunning Closing Ceremony at Stade de France 08 Sep 2024
Spectacular fireworks signal the start of the Closing Ceremony
ⒸSean M. Haffey/Getty Images
By Harry De Cosemo | For the IPC
Good evening and welcome to the Stade de France and the IPC’s live coverage of the Paralympics closing ceremony. My name is Harry De Cosemo and I will be taking you through it all.
What a Games it has been! Paris 2024 produced so many amazing stories, with records and medals galore; it all ended on Sunday with the marathon, Para canoe, Para powerlifting and wheelchair basketball.
We’re here to celebrate the last 10 days of action. So settle in, grab a cup of tea and join us for one last huge party! It’ll be epic as Paris prepares to hand over to LA 2028, when we’ll do it all again in four years’ time...
Singing in the rain....Unfortunately, as we sit here high up in the press tribune at Stade de France, rain is pouring down. Let’s hope it dries up later, although a quick check of the local forecast suggests we might be in for the long haul. Buckle up, folks; in some ways, it is the perfect metaphor for summer, and the Paralympics, coming to an end.
I’m sure it won’t dampen any spirits. They’ve already announced over the speakers: “We’ll be singing in the rain as we party in Paris.”
Selfie timeThe Phryge, Paris 2024’s official mascot, has been out in force taking selfies with all the athletes sat around the Stade de France stage. The buzz in the stadium has been building for an hour, with clapping, dancing and chanting. There isn’t a spare seat in the house and the resident DJ has been geeing up the huge crowd.
Here we go! Among the guests tonight is French President Emmanuel Macron © Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesIt’s getting darker now and the stadium is looking even more impressive, and the action is in full flow...
We’ve had a performance from Santa, with an incredible light show. Even I’ve got a cool wristband; there are fireworks. Among the guests is France president Emmmanuel Macron.
On the trumpet! This gives me goosebumps every time.
Next up there is a band playing “Les Champs-Elysees". This song is incredible; the soundtrack of the Games in my opinion. Absolutely everyone is getting involved and loving it!
Excuse me while I sing along... “Aux... Champs-Elysees!”
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor is their next offering. Can they stay all night?
A trumpet player performs the French national anthem © Michael Reaves/Getty Images Parade of the FlagsThe Parade of the Flags of Nations has begun. The Stade de France is absolutely rocking.
No prizes for guessing which country got the biggest cheer...
It is the perfect send-off for the 168 nations that have competed in Paris during the Games.
The president of Paris 2024 Tony Estanguet and International Paralympic Commitee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons have been addressing the crowd.
The crowd responded brilliantly to Mr Estanguet. The stadium erupted when he mentioned France’s blind football win over Argentina, as he picks out his highlights of the Games.
Mr Parsons then stepped up and said Paris 2024 “has set a benchmark for all Paralympic Games”.
He added France is now famous for its fans, which unsurprisingly went down very well, before adding that the athletes were the “stars of the show”.
Andrew Parsons (left) and Tony Estanguet address the Paris crowd © Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Newly elected Athletes' CouncilThe four new members were announced and took centre stage. They include Italian Martina Cironi (Para athletics), Malta’s Vladyslava Kravchenko (Para swimming) who were re-elected, while Portugal’s Lenine Cunha (Para athletics) became the first member with an intellectual impairment. Denise Schindler (Para cycling) was the final announcement.
After being treated to some breakdancing on stage, the Paralympic anthem was played and impeccably respected. The Paralympic flag handover ceremony then followed, before the American national anthem.
Next stop, LA 2028...
Incredible atmosphereI really like the Olympic and Paralympic music that has been playing at every medal ceremony too. It has just been over the speakers. Whoever is in charge of music for these things, well done. Excellent work.
The wrist bands are flashing again and there’s some amazing fireworks, causing the crowd to roar in response. I’m loving these live shows!
Full party mode! The party is in full swing now inside the Stade de France © Aitor Alcalde/Getty ImagesAthletes are dancing in the rain! They are all letting their hair down after an incredible effort over the last couple of weeks.
More light shows, more atmosphere please. Even the press tribune is bouncing!
DJ Busy P is absolutely killing it as the vibes keep on rolling at the Stade de France.
Did you know he was Daft Punk’s manager for 12 years? Me neither. But you learn new things every day.
